First released in the 1960s, the Corolla has been one of Toyota’s most popular vehicles for a long time and remains one of the finest compact cars available. If you’re interested in a Toyota Corolla for sale, then Toyota of Bowling Green is here to help you find everything you’ve been looking for. Although we’re happy to answer your questions and help you explore what Toyota offers for the Corolla, we understand that many people prefer to have an idea of what they’re looking for before visiting us. That’s why we’ve put together this convenient buyer’s guide for the 2026 Toyota Corolla, which will help you consider everything Toyota offers and make sure you get a car that you’ll love driving for many years to come.

Do You Want a Hybrid?

This is one of the most important decisions to consider. It will impact your daily driving experience, and it can affect other choices you need to make. The hybrid Corolla is only available as a sedan, which will rule out the hatchback if you want a hybrid. The Corolla sedan and hatchback both offer a standard 2.0L I-4 engine that provides 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a continuously variable transmission, and only front-wheel drive is available with this standard powertrain. The sedan achieves an estimated 31 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway, while the hatchback achieves 32 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway.

For enhanced fuel efficiency, consider exploring the hybrid option. This model comes with a 1.8L I-4 engine that produces 138 hp. With front-wheel drive, it gets an estimated 53 MPG in the city and 46 MPG on the highway. You can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, which creates a more refined driving experience. We’re big fans of the feel of an AWD Corolla and how well it handles in a wide range of conditions. The AWD Corolla takes a slight hit on fuel economy at 51 MPG in the city and 44 MPG on the highway, but it’s still a significant improvement over the standard engine.

Sedan or Hatchback?

If you don’t need a hybrid, you gain the choice between a standard sedan model or a hatchback design. Toyota offers both, and many similar options and features are available for both of them. Consider which overall design and shape you prefer, as well as the amount of cargo space you require. The Corolla Hatchback has more room, 17.8 cu.ft. compared to 13.1 cu.ft. in the sedan, and its design makes it easier to access.

True driving enthusiasts will certainly want to opt for the hatchback, as the 300-hp GR Corolla is only available in hatchback form. This is a true hot hatch, available with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. It offers the same cargo space as the standard hatchback, but a rather non-standard 1.6L turbocharged I-3 engine for maximum performance.

Consider the Different Trim Levels

Now that we’ve checked out some of the broad strokes for the Corolla, let’s explore the different trim levels available and what each one offers. The points we previously looked at will help you narrow things down a bit, as there are three different Corolla Hatchback trims available and six Corolla Sedan trims to choose from (three standard and three hybrid). Trying to decide between nine possibilities can quickly get overwhelming, so start with those first two decisions, and it becomes a lot simpler. To get a sense of what Toyota offers, here are some highlights for the three sedan trims with the standard engine. 

LE

The standard Corolla Sedan model, the LE comes with 16-inch wheels, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and a black front grille. The LE provides fabric seating, including a six-way adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way adjustable front passenger seat, along with remote keyless entry and automatic climate control. A seven-inch digital gauge cluster is standard, accompanied by an eight-inch Toyota multimedia system and a six-speaker sound system. Additionally, the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of driver assistance features is included, even on the most basic model.

SE

Upgrading to the SE trim comes with several enhancements and additional features, including 18-inch wheels, a single exhaust with dual chrome tips, and a sport mesh gloss-black front grille. Inside, you’ll find sport seats with sport fabric inserts that look and feel great, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a smart key system that makes it easy to get in and get going each day.

XSE

Finally, the XSE showcases several impressive upgrades, including a power tilt/slide moonroof and heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors with integrated blind spot monitor warning indicators. The XSE comes with SofTex-trimmed seating with an eight-way power driver’s seat, a larger 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a larger 10.5-inch Toyota Multimedia screen, and a wireless charging pad.

There are notable differences between these three trims, so it’s essential to take the time to consider what each one offers. This was just a limited example, and you can find some differences when examining the trims for the Corolla Hybrid models or the hatchbacks. Only you know what you need from your next car, but we’re happy to answer any questions you have and help you figure out which of these trims is right for you.

Some Final Details

Once you’ve made these decisions, you can then choose some final details to get the perfect car with everything you want. Toyota offers a variety of exterior colors for the 2026 Corolla, including Wind Chill Pearl, Ruby Flare Pearl, and Midnight Black Metallic. You can also choose different interior colors. The LE, with its fabric interior, is offered in Light Gray, Black, or a warm Macadamia/Mocha upholstery. Toyota also offers additional packages to further enhance the trim levels. The LE has an available Premium Package that adds wireless charging and other details to enhance your drive.

Your trim level affects these options, which is why we recommend reviewing the details of those trims first. The XSE offers a two-tone exterior color option, for example, allowing you to pair Ice Cap White or Classic Silver Metallic with a Midnight Black Metallic roof. You can similarly choose different interior colors for SofTex seating, including Black or a Black and Red combination. A nine-speaker JBL Premium sound system with a subwoofer is available for the XSE, enabling you to elevate your daily drive to the next level.

Getting the Right Corolla Is Easy

Although we don’t want to minimize the importance of any of these decisions, you can see that Toyota makes it pretty easy to get a Corolla that you’ll love driving each day. We suggest taking it one step at a time, starting with the big picture first, and then narrowing things down with each decision until you have only a few minor options to consider. This makes it easier to ensure that you don’t overlook anything and that you prioritize the most important aspects, such as the engine and body style, before everything else. Of course, this can still leave you with plenty of questions, and there’s the risk of missing a detail that’s been overlooked. That’s why we’re here to help you make sure you get what you’ve been looking for.